The Zagazig Criminal Court’s terrorism circuit sentenced to death Islamist Adel Habara and eight others, Tuesday, following their conviction on charges of creating a terrorist organisation, state media reported.
They were also charged with inciting the targeting of military and police officers.
The defendants were also accused of having ‘takfiri’ beliefs, communicating with “Islamic State” (IS), and possessing ammunition.
The term ‘takfiri’ is used in reference to those who accuse other Muslims of apostasy.
In February, the same court referred the files of Habara and eight others to the Grand Mufti for an advisory consultation on the verdict, as per the requirements of Egyptian law.
This is not the first death sentence given to Habara. In December, the Cairo Criminal Court upheld death sentences against the Islamist and six other militants in the “second Rafah massacre” case. They stood accused of killing 25 police conscripts in an ambush on a police convoy in August 2013 in the Abu Tawila region, along the Al-Arish/Rafah Road in Sinai.
Adel Mohamed Ibrahim, also known as Adel Habara, was arrested in August 2013 while in hiding in the North Sinai town of Al-Arish. He was also sentenced to death in absentia for participating in the 2005 Dahab and Taba attacks, and reportedly admitted to committing the Rafah killings during his arrest.
